Volkswagen sports sedan balances power with economy

By Tim Yip, Edmonton Journal

Originally published: November 26, 2012

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The 2013 Jetta GLI is a perfect example of why I love Volkswagens, especially the Jetta sedan and its mechanical twin the Golf hatchback. First, they’re affordable but, more important, they deliver the sharp handling and on-road responsiveness that competitors struggle to match.

When Volkswagen re-designed the sixth generation of its popular Jetta in 2010, the company launched a new marketing strategy for North America. VW repositioned the brand from a premium compact car line to a lower price range to compete directly with the likes of Honda and Toyota, thereby increasing sales volume and profit. That new strategy resulted in cost cutting, and loyal VW customers and auto writers universally bemoaned cheaper interiors and the use of less sophisticated (and less expensive) mechanical components, such as rear drum brakes and trailing arm suspension.

Volkswagen has smartly answered those criticisms with its 2013 top-of-the-range GLI. The interior’s surface coverings are quality, soft-to-the-touch materials, four-wheel disc brakes are standard, and a sophisticated multi-link independent rear suspension is fitted. And to differentiate the GLI from the standard Jetta, VW has packed the compact sport sedan with goodies that enthusiasts demand, such as a powerful 200 horsepower 2.0-litre DOHC turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 18-in. alloy wheels, and bi-xenon headlights. Unique trim includes red brake calipers, red stitching on the upholstery, a more aggressive front grille and a pair of fog lamps.

The GLI’s interior is a showcase for clean, European style. The instrument cluster is dominated by two large analogue gauges, a tachometer and speedometer with crisply legible white markings on a black background. A flat bottom sport steering wheel and bolstered cloth sport seats (with three-level heaters) promise good long-distance comfort. The rear seats provide good head and legroom for adults and the 60/40 split seatback flips down easily by releasing two latches in the trunk. Although the seatback doesn’t fold flat, it does go down without having to remove the rear head restraints, as required on some vehicles.

Our Tornado Red test vehicle came with VW’s excellent DSG (direct shift gearbox) six-speed automatic transmission. This is one of the best automatic transmissions in the industry; shifts are smooth and lightning fast, and it achieves a better city and highway fuel economy rating than the six-speed manual transmission.

Driving the Jetta GLI is a real pleasure. Volkswagen manages to deliver class-leading handling, feel and feedback that are discernibly sharper than the rest of the compact-car pack. The GLI feels German — that is, responsive with quick turn-in and a firm suspension that balances a sporty feel while remaining compliant over deep ice ruts. On snow-covered streets following a heavy, Prairie snowstorm, our winter-tire-equipped GLI performed admirably. Volkswagen’s traction control is programmed to appease sport drivers, allowing a good degree of wheelspin (i.e. fun) before reining in the power and putting a stop to lead foot-induced hijinks. And the traction control is seamlessly smooth, unlike some systems that jerk annoyingly when they kick in.

Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre DOHC turbocharged engine is a sweetheart. With 200 horsepower, it’s got plenty of thrust, is smooth and eager to rev. Under aggressive throttle, it emits a healthy growl that’s right in character with its sport sedan mission. Topping off all this driving goodness is the GLI’s excellent fuel economy rating (8.8/6.1 L/100km city/highway), matching the city rating of my perennial compact-class favourite — the much less powerful Mazda3 (with the 2.0-litre Skyactiv technology and automatic transmission.) That’s impressive.

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2.0 TSI has everything an enthusiast driver could ask for — excellent handling, power, and great styling. Add in the compact sedan’s European breeding, fuel economy and overall practicality and the 2013 Jetta GLI wins my vote for best in class and a car I’d buy with my own money.